Framed or couch hammock.



I. E. PALMER.

FRAMED OR COUCH HAMMOGK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 190a.

955,826, Patented Apr. 19, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT orrrcn.

ISAAC E. PALMER, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO I. E. PALMER CO., 01? MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

FRAMED OR COUCH HAMMOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 19, 1910.

.accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view with parts broken away of a couch or framed hammock embodylng my inventlon; Fig. 2 1s a cross section of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail cross sectional views of modified forms of my invention; and Fig. 5 is a detail in longitudinal section of a por tion of a couch or framed hammock embodying my invention.

Hammocks or suspension couches have heretofore been composed of a hammock body provided with end suspension means and a frame applied thereto, said frame either wholly overlying the horizontal portion of the hammock body, as in the so-called Gloucester type of hammock, or underlying the horizontal portion of the hammock body, but having end cross rods under and about which the hammock body passes, as disclosed in my Patent No. 574,073, December 29, 1896. I have, as herein disclosed, combined certain features of said two types of hammocks, and in so doing have preserved all the advantages of each of said types with the result that the weight of the frame is not wholly borne by the end cross rods, but is borne in part by the longitudinal members of the frame. Moreover I am enabled to dispense with the mattress commonly employed with the so-called Gloucester type of hammock, inasmuch as the hammock body overlies the main portion of the frame. The frame is provided with a seating preferably of some suitable flexible character, and if desired a thin wadding may be inserted between the seating and the hammock body.

Referring more particularly to the drawing and first to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the frame which is adapted to be applied to the hammock body is herein represented as composed of longitudinal members 1-1 and end members 22 suitably secured together, said members being preferably formed of wood. While the central or supporting portion of the frame ma be of any suitable material, preferably it 1s formed as a flexible seatin herein shown as composed of links 33 an eyes 4, said seating being preferably connected to the end members 2 by coiled springs 5 and to the longitudinal members 1 by suitable means, such for example as inclined side springs arranged in pairs, the members of which diverge from each other, or by hooks 0 at each side but arranged in staggered relation to provide the desired latera] resiliency. It is apparent, however, that within the principles of my invention any suitable seating may be employed.

The frame is provided with end cross bars 7-7 placed at any suitable distance from the frame and connected thereto by suitable means, such for example as brackets 8-8 similar to those shown in my Patent No. 901,936, October 20, 1908.

The hammock body, which is preferably cloth, such for example as canvas, is represented at 9, it being provided with end suspension means of any suitable character. Intermediate its end parts the hammock body is provided with longitudinally extending edge portions and an intermediate or central longitudinally extending portion 11, said portions being separated from each other preferably by slitting the material of the hammock body after the weaving or other forming process. It is apparent, however, that these portions may be separated from each other during the weaving process. If the hammock body is slitted, then preferably the raw edges are provided with a binding or are hemmed in some suitable manner.

The central longitudinal portion 11 overlies the seating and the end members 2 of the frame and the edge portions 10 underlie the longitudinal members 1 of the frame.

The line of separation between the edge and central portions 10, 11 may extend to any suitable distance beyond the end members 2, but preferably it terminates between said end. members 2 and the end cross bars before they have been applied at the other side, the frame being slid sidewise into position between said portions 10 and 11. Thereupon the remaining brackets 8 are secured in position. Or the hammock body may be applied to the frame after all the brackets have been secured in position, but before the end cross bars have been applied thereto.

If desired, certain portions of the hammock body may be made of material having aless degree of longitudinal extension than the end parts of the hammock. If for instance the end parts of the hammock be composed of canvas, I may make the intermediate portion of the hammock or parts thereof of jute or flax or some other suitable material having a less degree of longitudinal extension. For example, the edge portions 10-10, and if desired the central portion 11, may be formed of jute or some other suitable material for the purpose stated, or if desired I may reinforce the portions 10 by layers or strips of jute or other suitable material 12, as indicated in Fig. 3. Preferably the edge portions 10 are pro- Vided with lateral upstanding edges 13. In such event, I may if desired apply a light mattress to the upper surface of the hammock body.

. In order to prevent lateral displacement of the portions of the hammock body, I may provide means for securing their edges to theseating or the frame. In Fig. 4:, I have represented the central portion 11 as providedwith cords 14, by which it may be attached at suitable intervals to the seating,

the underlying edge portions 10 being similarly provided with cords 15 for the same purpose.

From the foregoing description, it will be clearly apparent that the hammock embodying my invention possesses all the advantages of the so-called Gloucester type of hammock and of the type of hammock rep resented in my Patent No. 574,073. The frame may be readily applied to or removed from the hammock body, and the use of a heavy mattress is not rendered necessary.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that althoughspecific termsare employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims.

1. A couch hammock comprising in combination a frame having end cross bars, and a hammock body adapted to be applied thereto and having a central portion and edge portions intermediate the ends of said ham mock body and extending longitudinally of said body and of substantially the length of said frame and substantially parallel to and separated from each other, the said central portion being adapted to overlie and the over the end members and seating and the edge portions passing under the end cross bars, the end members and the longitudinal members.

3. A couch hammock comprising in combination a frame composed of longitudinal and end members and a seating, end cross bars longitudinally beyond said frame,

means for detachably securing said cross bars to said frame, and a hammock body longitudinally slitted adjacent opposite side edges, the portion of the hammock body between said slits extending above the seating and the portions of the hammock body out side said slits underlying the said frame.

4. A couch hammock comprising in combination a frame having end cross bars, and a hammock body applied thereto and longitudinally slitted adjacent opposite side edges for the entire distance between said end cross bars, the portion of the hammock body between said longitudinal slits passing above the frame and the portions of the hammock body outside said slits underlying the said frame.

5. A couch hammock comprising in combination a frame having longitudinal and end members and a seating, end cross bars longitudinally beyond but secured to said frame, and a hammock body having a cen tral longitudinal portion and edge portions substantially parallel therewith, said central portion overlying the seating, and the edge portions underlying the said longitudinal members of the frame and having upstanding outer edges.

6. A couch hammock comprising in combination a frame and a hammock body adapted to be applied thereto, said body having end supporting means, and an intermediate part of substantially the length of said frame, said intermediate part being composed of lateral, longitudinally extending, edge portions adapted to underlie said frame when the latter is applied to said hammock body and a longitudinal portion between said edge portions and separated therefrom,

and adapted to overlie said frame, whereby said frame is supported by said edge portions.

7. A hammock body adapted to have a frame applied thereto, said body having end parts provided with suspension means, and an intermediate part of substantially the length of said frame and composed of longitudinally extending, lateral, edge portions, and an intermediate, longitudinally extending portion separated from said lateral ed e portlons between said end parts and for su stantially the length of said frame, the said edge portions and the intermediate ortions being adapted to receive the frame etween them, whereby the frame is supported by the 15 hammock and a part of the latter overlies the frame.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC E. PALMER.

Witnesses:

FRED. E. FOWLER, CHAS. M. SAUER. 

